Liverpool's musical legacy

Liverpool is famed for its work ethic, cultural diversity, and its place at the heart of Britain’s entertainment industry.

A city built on trade, it's a vibrant showcase of modernity merging with an industrial past. Its popularity amongst both residents and tourists is founded on its working class charm and the warm welcome it gives to everyone who visits.

A new-wave of trendy art galleries are dotted around the city, interspersed with grassroots exhibitions. Crown Building Studios, for example, resides in a former magistrate’s court and has become a stand-out workshop of cultural innovation.

This part of the UK has a strong sporting identity, with a particular affiliation for football. Liverpool’s footballing city rivals Everton occupy Goodison Park, while Manchester’s leading clubs are just 1 hour and 20 minutes away by train.

Outside the art galleries, football stadiums and industrial buildings, Liverpool’s musical legacy shines brightly. The Beatles and Frankie Goes To Hollywood both hail from the city and went on to inspire artists from all over the world.

Here are five of our favourite musical gems to add to your itinerary if you’re planning a visit.

Invisible Wind Factory

Invisible Wind Factory (IWF) is a warehouse venue that houses regular raves and gigs, and exhibits the work of its in-house art collective alongside the music.

This combination of art and music is the DNA of IWF. Pitching itself as ‘a cultural theme park of the future,’ this venue is truly cutting edge. If you can’t make a night-time gig, IWF houses artists’ studios during the day and runs a café which is worth a visit.

The Cavern Club

Described as ‘the cradle of British pop music,’ The Cavern Club was an early pioneer of the Beat music scene of the 60s.

One of the most famous music venues in the UK, The Cavern Club helped launch the career of The Beatles. They first performed here on 9th February 1961. 7 months later, legendary manager Brian Epstein visited the club as The Beatles practiced. The rest, as they say, is history.

Nowadays, The Cavern Club continues to champion up-and-coming musicians by putting on an array of live music. However, nods to Liverpool’s musical heroes remain a constant, with nights of Beatlemania a regular feature.

Various Beatles tours around the city are also available to book through the website.

The Cavern Club

24 Kitchen Street

Liverpool’s current music scene is as thriving as it was when The Beatles reigned supreme.

24 Kitchen Street, in the city's artsy Blatic Triangle, has emerged as one of Liverpool’s leading multi-purpose music and arts spaces, while playing host to world class DJs. It runs regular club nights as well as one-off parties, bringing in global talent from a range of genres including 90s hip-hop and soulful jazz.

As a beacon of Liverpool’s arts scene, the space is also home to poetry workshops and performance art events. With an intimate capacity of 400, visitors can experience the culture up close and personal.

Open late on Fridays and Saturdays, this venue is a unique stop on your musical tour of Liverpool.

Studio 2

A guide to Liverpool’s music scene wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Studio 2, a converted recording studio that hosts regular acoustic, blues, and hip hop gigs.

Starting life in the north of the city as Parr Street Studios, this pioneering venue has hosted sessions for the likes of Barry Manilow and Take That.

Today, Studio 2 hosts some of the best live music to be found in Liverpool. It is purpose built to create an extraordinary sound, which comes in the form of funk and soul nights, free blues gigs, and a fully-fledged jazz programme.

From the rise of The Beatles in the 60s to modern day warehouse raves, Liverpool has a rich musical heritage that deserves to be explored. On visiting Liverpool it’s easy to immerse yourself in the city’s music scene, whether that’s via a Cavern Club tour or a live gig in a converted studio.